SFDF
SAMSUNG FASHION & DESIGN FUND

Samsung Fashion & Design Fund (SFDF) was launched in the fall of 2005 to unearth new, promising Korean fashion designers active abroad and to bring their potential to life through systematic and practical support. It was borne of Samsung’s corporate philosophy “to make contributions to the advancement of humankind by fostering talented individuals.” SFDF is part of Samsung C&T Corporation’ initiative for public good that embraces various community outreach programs, eco-friendly business management practices, and support for cultural projects. SFDF represents Samsung C&T Corporation’ efforts to offer sponsorships and investments tailored to advance the sectors of fashion and design, both of which form the core of Samsung C&T Corporation, and thus to promote the co-prosperity of individuals, businesses, and the nation.

In today’s world fashion is an important medium for bringing people together from around the world. Trends may be born in international cities such as New York and Paris, but the source may be a small village in Africa or Eastern Europe. Through fashion we explore unknown worlds and experience the emotions of other peoples. As all people naturally play the roles of both creators and consumers of trends, it has become possible to lead cosmopolitan lives in a way undreamed of in the past. Over the past century many different kinds of clothing have been introduced to Korea, enriching and enhancing the Korean way of life. As a way of giving something back to the world, young Korean designers are now taking part in developing the wonderful potential of fashion in the 21st century.

From long in the past, Koreans have used the phrase “euigwaneul jeongjehanda” which means to “put one’s clothes in order.” This indicates the importance of neat attire in everyday etiquette. Diligent in nature and clever with their hands, Koreans have developed a unique aesthetic built on 5,000 years of tradition. The designers to be introduced here hail from different backgrounds and different countries but they have the common dream of enriching the lives of human beings through fashion. They are adventurers who freely fuse the aesthetic of their Korean heritage with inspiration from friends around the world to create a new kind of beauty. It is with the objective of supporting the dreams and visions of such young designers that the Samsung Fashion and Design Fund (SFDF) was established.

The fashion industry is a highly competitive, cut-throat world driven by fast-paced global changes, posing an ever-rising entry barrier for emerging designers. Many prospective designers, who should serve as the building blocks for a brighter future in the fashion industry, do not even stand a chance of rising up to the challenge and showing what they can achieve. SFDF aims to highlight such lesser known yet exceptionally talented Korean designers struggling to make their name in different parts of the world and to provide multifaceted support to help them grow and thrive.

SFDF, celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year, has emerged as a highly trusted incubator and test bed for truly gifted designers, with many past SFDF winners continuing to make notable strides forward. In the long run, SFDF also plans to nurture talented individuals in various fields under the realization that the interaction with industrial design, architecture, interior design, and fine arts will further inspire and stimulate the growth of fashion.

The symbol for SFDF represents dedication to support and fund talented designers of Korean descent working and establishing their distinction in the global market. In resemblance to the symbol for Samsung fashion’s core values in its basic form and flow, it further represents our commitment, as a Fashion Company, to support creativity.